Statute Details
- Title: Notice under Section 17(5)
- Act Code: RELA1983-N23
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL) notice
- Enacting / Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Chapter 275), s 17(5)
- Instrument / Gazette Reference: G.N. No. S 380/2000
- Commencement (as stated in the notice): 31 August 2000
- Revised Edition Date: 31 January 2002 (2002 RevEd)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the platform extract)
- Key Legal Effect: Appoints the date the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation comes into force
What Is This Legislation About?
This instrument is a legislative notice issued under section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275). In plain terms, it is not a “substantive” law that creates new rights or obligations. Instead, it is an administrative/legal mechanism that determines when a particular revised compilation of subsidiary legislation becomes legally effective.
The notice states that the Law Revision Commissioners have published, in loose-leaf form, the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. The notice then appoints 31 August 2000 as the date on which that revised edition is to come into force. This ensures that practitioners and the public can rely on an authoritative, consolidated version of subsidiary legislation reflecting amendments up to a specified cut-off date.
Although the extract does not reproduce the full Schedule, the structure and language indicate that the Schedule identifies the Acts under which subsidiary legislation is made. The practical scope is therefore broad: it affects the legal status and usability of the revised subsidiary legislation compilation for the relevant subject areas covered by those Acts.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Authority under section 17(5) of Cap. 275
The notice is expressly grounded in section 17(5) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. That provision empowers the Law Revision Commissioners to publish revised editions of subsidiary legislation (typically incorporating amendments up to a specified date) and provides a statutory basis for a notice to set the commencement date of the revised edition.
2. Publication of the 2000 Revised Edition in loose-leaf form
The notice “recites” that, under section 17(5), the Law Revision Commissioners have published in loose-leaf form the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation made under the Acts set out in the Schedule. The notice also indicates the revision incorporates amendments up to 5 August 2000. This is important for legal practice: it signals the amendment cut-off for the compilation.
3. Appointment of the commencement date
The operative legal effect is the appointment of 31 August 2000 as the date the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation shall come into force. In practice, this means that from that date, the revised edition becomes the authoritative reference point for the subsidiary legislation covered by the Schedule.
4. “For general information” and legal certainty
The notice uses the standard formula “it is hereby notified for general information”. While this phrase may appear ceremonial, it is still legally meaningful because it communicates the official commencement of the revised compilation. For lawyers, the key consequence is legal certainty: courts, counsel, and regulators can treat the revised edition as the correct version to cite and apply, subject to any later amendments.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Based on the extract, the instrument is structured in a typical Singapore legislative format for notices:
(a) Heading and status: It identifies the notice as “Notice under Section 17(5)” and indicates that the version is current as at 27 March 2026 (reflecting the platform’s consolidation/versioning approach).
(b) Enacting formula: It includes an enacting formula referencing the authorising provision in the Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275, s 17(5)).
(c) The Schedule: The extract shows “THE SCHEDULE” and “Legislative History”. The Schedule is where the Acts covered by the revised edition are listed. Even though the extract does not display the Schedule content, its presence is crucial: it defines the scope of subsidiary legislation affected by the commencement of the revised edition.
(d) Legislative history / timeline: The extract includes a timeline showing key dates and versions: 31 August 2000 (SL 380/2000) and 31 January 2002 (2002 RevEd). This indicates that the notice is part of a broader revision cycle where revised editions are periodically published and then brought into force.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This notice applies indirectly to everyone who must interpret, apply, or comply with subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule. While the notice itself does not impose substantive duties, it determines which version of subsidiary legislation is legally effective from the appointed date.
In practical terms, the beneficiaries and affected parties include: lawyers and law firms (for accurate citation and advice), regulated entities (for knowing the operative regulatory rules), government agencies (for enforcement based on the correct subsidiary instruments), and courts and tribunals (for determining the applicable legal text). The notice is therefore foundational to legal practice even though it is not a regulatory rule itself.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although this is a short notice, it plays a significant role in the legislative infrastructure of Singapore. Revised editions are intended to provide a consolidated, updated and authoritative text of subsidiary legislation. Without a formal commencement notice, there would be uncertainty about when the revised compilation becomes the operative reference for legal interpretation and enforcement.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the most important practical impact is on citation and version control. Lawyers must ensure that the subsidiary legislation they rely on reflects the correct amendments and is the correct “current” text for the relevant time period. The notice provides a clear anchor date—31 August 2000—for the 2000 Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation. This is especially relevant in matters involving events occurring around the revision period, where the applicable legal text may turn on the commencement date of the revised edition.
Finally, the notice supports the broader principle of legal certainty. By incorporating amendments up to a specified cut-off date (5 August 2000) and by formally appointing the commencement date, the Law Revision Commissioners and the Government ensure that the legal community can rely on a stable and official compilation. This reduces disputes about whether a particular amendment had been incorporated and whether the revised text is the correct one to apply.
Related Legislation
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act (Cap. 275) — in particular section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this notice)
- Subsidiary legislation made under the Acts listed in the Schedule to this notice (not reproduced in the extract)
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act revision cycle instruments (e.g., notices and gazette publications associated with subsequent revised editions such as the 2002 Revised Edition)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Notice under Section 17 (5) for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.